Rural Health, Inc.

09/04/2026

💙About 1 in 5 children and teens in the U.S. live with obesity. Childhood obesity can increase the risk of health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. It can also affect a child’s emotional and social well-being.

Many factors can contribute to childhood obesity, including genetics, sleep habits, food access, and the environments where children live, learn, and play.

🌟 Small, healthy habits can make a big difference!
🥦 Supply nutritious foods: Offer more vegetables, fruits, and fiber-rich whole grains.
💧 Choose water: Limit sugary drinks like soda and sweetened juices.
⚽ Move more: Encourage children to get about 60 minutes of physical activity each day through active play, sports, walking, or other activities they enjoy.
📱 Limit screen time: Encourage breaks from TVs, phones, computers, and other screens.
😴 Prioritize sleep: Help children develop healthy sleep routines and get the rest their growing bodies need.

Most importantly, focus on healthy habits—not weight or appearance. Every child deserves encouragement, support, and a healthy environment in which to grow and thrive. 💙

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

If You’re 45 or Older, It’s Never Too Early to Focus on Healthy Aging!

Healthy aging is about taking care of your whole self—physically, mentally, and socially. Small, consistent choices today can make a big difference in the years ahead.

💪 Stay Active: Aim for regular moderate exercise such as walking, swimming, or yoga to support strength, balance, and heart health.

🥗 Nourish Your Body: Choose whole foods rich in fiber, vitamins, and lean proteins—and remember to stay hydrated.

🧠 Support Mental Well-Being: Keep your brain engaged with puzzles, reading, learning, or trying a new hobby. Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep each night.

❤️ Stay Connected: Spend time with friends, family, and community groups. Strong social connections can help reduce loneliness and isolation.

🩺 Prioritize Preventive Care: Schedule routine checkups, recommended health screenings, and vaccinations with your healthcare provider.

Healthy aging starts with the choices you make today. Take charge of your health and make wellness a lifelong priority! 💙

09/03/2026

ruralhealthinc.org

09/02/2026

News Release (9/2/26) The Importance of Newborn Screening
(September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month)
***Audio version available on our YouTube Channel and Podcast.

(Southern Illinois) - Newborn screening (NBS) helps identify serious, potentially life-threatening conditions in thousands of U.S. babies born each year. Through early detection and treatment of these conditions, families are able to support their babies to help them live healthy and reach their full potential. September is National Newborn Screening Awareness Month. Rural Health, Inc. (RHI) encourages families who are expecting, or plan to be, to talk with their healthcare provider about NBS for their baby.

“NBS is not new to infant healthcare. For more than a half-century, state-mandated public health newborn screening has identified many genetic, metabolic, and congenital disorders; helping babies overcome sometimes life-threatening conditions,” said Shawnna Rhine, RHI Director of Public Relations. “It’s important that all new parents understand the important role of screening in their child’s healthcare and talk with their provider if they have questions.”

Within the first few minutes of birth, a healthcare provider will assess baby’s head circumference, length/height-for-age, weight-for-age, weight-for-length, weight-for-height, body mass index-for-age, hearing, vision, and other needed health and development assessments. The purpose is to identity any abnormalities that may signal underlying issues that require further screening and possible treatment.

In addition to a visual screening, after the first 24 hours the hospital will collect a small sample of blood from baby’s heel. If baby is born at home, it is important to make arrangements to have the screening done after 24 hours of age.

This dried blood sample is sent to the NBS laboratory in the state where baby was born for analysis to screen for many serious conditions. Labs in Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri each conduct 50 or more tests that include Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell Disease, and Spinal Muscular Atrophy from this one sample.

Newborn screening is recognized as one of the most successful public health accomplishments, and was the first population-based genetic screening program to become an integral component of public health practice. To learn more, visit cdc.gov/newborn-screening or call Rural Health, Inc. at 618-833-4471 to speak with a provider.

Rural Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization designated by the federal government as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with locations in Johnson, Massac, and Union counties in Illinois providing quality medical, dental, mental health, and pharmacy services to all patients in need of healthcare while being committed to the overall health and well-being of the underserved. Medicaid, Medicare, and most insurance carriers are accepted.

# # #
Follow Rural Health Inc. on Facebook, YouTube, and at ruralhealthinc.org

09/02/2026

🦷 Healthy Smiles Start Here! 🦷

Rural Health, Inc. provides dental care for patients of all ages! From routine checkups and cleanings to addressing your dental concerns, our team is here to help you maintain a healthy smile. 😁

💙 We accept Medicaid and Medicare for eligible dental services, helping make quality dental care more accessible for individuals and families.

Don’t put off your dental health! Schedule your appointment with Rural Health, Inc. today.

Rural Health, Inc. — We Specialize in YOU!

09/02/2026

🍅It's Food Safety Education Month! Prevent the spread of food-borne illness by following a few SIMPLY tips in the link below!

A Food Facts on Safe Food Handling from FDA to consumers.

09/01/2026

💜 Walk With Us to Prevent Su***de! 💜

Join Rural Health, Inc. at this year’s Out of the Darkness Southern Illinois Su***de Walk on Saturday, September 12, at 10:00 AM at Cobden Soccer Park in Cobden, IL.

Come walk with us as we raise awareness, support one another, and work together to prevent su***de and bring hope to our communities. 💜

🚶 REGISTER or DONATE: Visit afsp.org/SouthernIL

We hope to see you there!
Rural Health, Inc. — Specialize in YOU!

***dePrevention

09/01/2026

It's time to think about your seasonal FLU SHOT! Call RHI at 618-833-4471 to schedule your shot appointment before the end of October.

As hot and dry conditions continue across the Heartland, you may not realize that cold and flu season is about to begin.